500 pound leatherback sea turtle comes ashore in Naples

An endangered female leatherback sea turtle, estimated to weigh somewhere between 500 and 600 pounds, came ashore at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park early Monday morning. The turtle, which had a tag, was thought to have built a nest and laid a brood of eggs. It is extremely rare for this type of turtle to make an appearance on the shores of Southwest Florida and unusual for it to be nesting this far north in January. Michel Fortier/Staff

An endangered female leatherback sea turtle, estimated to weigh somewhere between 500 and 600 pounds, came ashore at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park early Monday morning. The turtle, which had a tag, was thought to have built a nest and laid a brood of eggs. It is extremely rare for this type of turtle to make an appearance on the shores of Southwest Florida and unusual for it to be nesting this far north in January. Scott Aldrich was on hand along with several marine biologists to assist or even rescue the turtle if necessary. Michel Fortier/Staff

An endangered female leatherback sea turtle, estimated to weigh somewhere between 500 and 600 pounds, came ashore at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park early Monday morning. The turtle, which had a tag, was thought to have built a nest and laid a brood of eggs. It is extremely rare for this type of turtle to make an appearance on the shores of Southwest Florida and unusual for it to be nesting this far north in January. Scott Aldrich was on hand along with several marine biologists to assist or even rescue the turtle if necessary. Michel Fortier/Staff

An endangered female leatherback sea turtle, estimated to weigh somewhere between 500 and 600 pounds, came ashore at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park early Monday morning. The turtle, which had a tag, was thought to have built a nest and laid a brood of eggs. It is extremely rare for this type of turtle to make an appearance on the shores of Southwest Florida and unusual for it to be nesting this far north in January. Michel Fortier/Staff

An endangered female leatherback sea turtle, estimated to weigh somewhere between 500 and 600 pounds, came ashore at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park early Monday morning. The turtle, which had a tag, was thought to have built a nest and laid a brood of eggs. It is extremely rare for this type of turtle to make an appearance on the shores of Southwest Florida and unusual for it to be nesting this far north in January. The turtle, after coming ashore twice, made her way back into the water under her own power. Michel Fortier/Staff

Photos of a rare leatherback sea turtle which came ashore at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park early Monday morning before heading back out to sea.

Photos of a rare Leatherback Turtle which came ashore at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park early Monday morning before heading back out to sea.

Photos of a rare leatherback sea turtle which came ashore at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park early Monday morning before heading back out to sea.